CANARY ISLANDS — When you think of the Canary Islands, what comes to mind? Before visiting, I thought of a tropical environment with beautiful beaches and clear waters.
I cannot say I was entirely wrong, but while I was on the Canary Islands, I found another side; a side that really surprised me, a side that was steep, rocky and unexpectedly difficult.
It was the side of a volcano.

I decided to hike up the third largest active volcano in the world, El Tiede, along with four other girls. We thought it would be a nice relaxing day of hiking and bonding. It turned into one of the most challenging experiences that any of us had ever experienced. The reality of our adventure hit us after our first hour of hiking. The wide, smooth trails that gradually inclined took a quick turn into a narrow, steep and rocky path that got worse the further we hiked up. Looking down at my watch constantly, I prayed that over every hill of massive rock formations, the top of the volcano would be waiting for us. Yet, as the hours kept passing, the goal seemed like a far off dream.

I had to stop a few times. And by a few times, I mean every 15 minutes, give or take. The mix of the high altitude, steepness and never-ending piles of rocks we used as stairs combined with my current lack of physical fitness made it hard to go more than five feet without mumbling about how I wished I would have gone to the gym more often. At that point, it was too late for wishing.
As four and a half hours had passed and we were mentally and physically checked out, we knew that the top had to be close. We came around one of the many massive rock hills, and finally, a glimpse of the top.
I could have sworn that I heard angels singing and bells chiming, but in reality, it was probably just the altitude and dehydration getting to me.
The feeling of reaching the top was one of the most amazing feelings I have ever experienced and I will never regret or forget the other side of the Canary Islands that we found that day. I mean, the other side of the Canary Islands that we hiked that day.